CIC Device-Associated Infection Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which is the primary central line insertion bundle element for CLABSI prevention?
- Maximal sterile barrier precautions during insertion (Correct answer)
- Daily blood cultures from all central lines
- Antibiotic lock therapy for all central venous catheters
- Weekly CVC insertion site rotation
Correct answer: Maximal sterile barrier precautions during insertion
Maximal sterile barrier precautions—cap, mask, sterile gown, sterile gloves, and large sterile drape—during CVC insertion are a core evidence-based CLABSI bundle element.
Question 2: Which central venous catheter insertion site is associated with the lowest CLABSI risk in adult patients?
- Subclavian vein (Correct answer)
- Femoral vein
- Internal jugular vein
- Antecubital fossa vein
Correct answer: Subclavian vein
The subclavian site consistently has lower CLABSI rates than femoral or jugular sites due to lower bacterial skin colonization in that region.
Question 3: What catheter-to-meatus care does evidence support for CAUTI prevention?
- Routine perineal hygiene with soap and water during bathing (Correct answer)
- Daily antiseptic solution application to the meatus
- Antibiotic ointment at the catheter-meatus junction
- Routine catheter irrigation with antiseptic solution
Correct answer: Routine perineal hygiene with soap and water during bathing
Routine cleansing with soap and water is recommended; antiseptics at the meatus do not reduce CAUTI risk and may promote resistance.
Question 4: According to HICPAC guidelines, what is the single most effective CAUTI prevention strategy?
- Avoiding unnecessary urinary catheter insertion and removing catheters promptly (Correct answer)
- Using silver alloy-coated catheters for all hospitalized patients
- Performing daily catheter irrigation with antimicrobial solutions
- Providing antibiotic prophylaxis for all catheterized patients
Correct answer: Avoiding unnecessary urinary catheter insertion and removing catheters promptly
Inserting urinary catheters only when clinically indicated and removing them at the earliest opportunity is the most evidence-supported CAUTI prevention strategy.
Question 5: Which ventilator-associated event (VAE) tier is specifically associated with new infection or sepsis markers?
- Infection-related Ventilator-Associated Complication (IVAC) (Correct answer)
- Ventilator-Associated Condition (VAC)
- Possible Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (PVAP)
- Tier-1 Ventilator-Associated Event
Correct answer: Infection-related Ventilator-Associated Complication (IVAC)
IVAC builds on VAC by adding evidence of infection: abnormal temperature or white blood cell count plus initiation of new antimicrobial agents for ≥4 days.
Question 6: Which ventilator bundle element reduces aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions to prevent VAP?
- Head-of-bed elevation to 30–45 degrees (Correct answer)
- Daily chest radiographs for all ventilated patients
- Prophylactic systemic antibiotics for all ventilated patients
- Routine endotracheal suctioning every two hours
Correct answer: Head-of-bed elevation to 30–45 degrees
Elevating the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees reduces passive aspiration of contaminated oropharyngeal secretions into the lower respiratory tract.
CIC Device-Associated Infection Prevention 1
Which is the primary central line insertion bundle element for CLABSI prevention?